noun
- large flightless birds characterized by a flat breastbone without a keel, including ostriches, emus, and cassowaries
Usage: zoological term; plural form
Examples
- Ratites are found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The ostrich is the largest of all ratites.
- Emus and cassowaries are examples of ratites native to Australia.
- Unlike other birds, ratites cannot fly due to their body structure.
- The zoo’s ratites include several species of large flightless birds.
- Ratites have powerful legs adapted for running rather than flying.